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You've Probably Already Played a Drafting Game (You Just Didn't Know It)
- Mar 20
- 5 min read
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Drafting is one of the most common mechanics in modern board gaming, and you have almost certainly already played it. Azul? Drafting. Ticket to Ride? Drafting. Sushi Go!? Drafting. It just goes by different names and takes on different flavors depending on the game. And when it came to Dank & Draft, well, a draft of cards and a draught of beer? The pun was irresistable!
How do Drafting Games Work
At its core, drafting just means choosing from a shared pool of options. Crucially, every choice you make affects everyone else at the table.
That last part is what makes it special. Unlike a game where you roll dice and react to your own situation, drafting puts you in constant tension with the other players.
You are always asking: do I take what I need, or do I take what they need just to deny them? That tension (even in the most relaxed, chatty game night) is what keeps drafting games endlessly replayable.
The Three Flavors of Drafting
Not all drafting games work the same way. Here are the three main types, with games you might already know:
1. Common Pool Drafting: Racing to Grab What You Want
In common pool drafting, a shared selection of tiles, cards, or pieces sits in the middle of the table. Players take turns picking from it, and once something is gone, it is gone.
This is Azul. Every round, colorful tiles are laid out across factory displays and players take turns snatching them up to complete patterns on their personal boards. My bestie and I play Azul weekly. It is the perfect game for catching up on each other's lives because the gameplay is engaging enough to be fun but relaxed enough that you can actually have a conversation. And then someone takes all the blue tiles you needed and suddenly it is not so relaxed anymore. 😂
Ticket to Ride is another example, this time with route cards. During the pandemic, our family ran a very competitive Ticket to Ride tournament online as a way to stay connected. What started as a casual weekly game turned into a full standings board and some very spirited trash talk. Drafting games have a way of doing that.
2. Pick and Pass Drafting: Pick One, Pass the Rest
This is the version most people picture when they hear the word "drafting." Everyone starts with a hand of cards, picks one to keep, and passes the rest to the next player. You keep picking and passing until the cards run out.
Sushi Go! is the perfect introduction to this style. The cards are adorable, the rules take five minutes to learn, and the moment you realize you can strategically pass someone a terrible hand is the moment the whole table erupts. It is fast, funny, and one of the best gateway games out there.
7 Wonders takes the same pick and pass mechanic and adds a lot more depth. You are building an ancient civilization across three ages, drafting cards that give you resources, military strength, science, and culture. It is my husband's favorite game, and once you understand the drafting rhythm it moves surprisingly fast.
3. Booster Drafting: Building as You Go
This is one of the most popular forms of drafting, made famous by trading card games. Players open sealed packs of cards and draft from them, building a playable deck on the fly. It requires the most experience to appreciate, but for the right crowd it is endlessly compelling.
I'm not going to go too deep on this one here. It deserves its own post, and of all the drafting games, this is one type I don't have enough experience as a player with.
Why Drafting Games Feel So Good
Here is the thing about drafting that is hard to explain until you have experienced it: every decision is interesting.
In a lot of games, turns can feel routine. You roll, you move, you wait. In a drafting game, every single pick is a small puzzle. Do I take the tile that completes my row, or the one that blocks my opponent? Do I go for points now or set up a bigger play later?
And because everyone is making those decisions simultaneously (or in quick succession), the game moves fast and stays engaging from start to finish. There is very little downtime. Nobody is sitting around waiting for their turn while someone else does all the interesting stuff.
That is why drafting games are so good for game nights. They keep everyone at the table leaning in, even during other people's turns.
And Then There Is Beer
Now imagine all of that satisfying pick-and-deny tension, but the thing you are drafting is craft beer.
If Azul is the game you play to catch up with your bestie, Dank & Draft is the game you play when that catch-up involves a cold one. Like Azul, it is a common pool drafting game where you are drafting real Washington beers to build the most impressive tap list at the table.
It is the only drafting game where the theme and the mechanic are a perfect match. You are literally drafting beer.
House Rules we love: Double points for everyt beer in your taproom that matches the beer you are currently drinking. Stoup's West Coast IPA FTW!
Quick Reference: Drafting Games at a Glance
Game | Drafting Style | Best For |
Common Pool | Weekly game nights, casual play | |
Common Pool | Families, longer sessions | |
Pick & Pass | Beginners, quick games | |
Pick & Pass | Strategy lovers, larger groups | |
Common Pool | Craft beer fans, game nights |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a drafting game?
A drafting game is any game where players select from a shared pool of options, with every choice affecting what is available to everyone else. The tension of choosing what to take (and what to deny your opponents) is what makes drafting games so engaging and replayable.
Are drafting games good for beginners?
Absolutely. Common pool drafting games like Azul and pick and pass games like Sushi Go! are among the most beginner-friendly games out there. The rules are simple, the decisions are intuitive, and the games move quickly. They are a great entry point into modern board gaming.
What is the difference between Azul and Sushi Go!?
Both are drafting games but they work differently. In Azul, players pick from shared factory displays in a common pool with no passing. In Sushi Go!, players pick one card from a hand and pass the rest, so you can see exactly what you are giving your opponents. Sushi Go! tends to feel faster and sillier; Azul tends to feel more strategic and satisfying.
How many players do drafting games work best with?
Most drafting games work best with 3-4 players. Sushi Go! and 7 Wonders scale well up to 5-7 players. Azul is at its best with 2-4. Dank & Draft plays with 2-4, making it one of the more flexible options for a varied group.
What makes Dank & Draft different from other drafting games?
Beyond the craft beer theme (which is genuinely fun), Dank & Draft is one of the few drafting games where the theme directly mirrors the mechanic. You are actually drafting beers. The gameplay and the concept are the same thing. It also happens to be a lot of fun to play with an actual beer in hand. 🍺
Have a favorite drafting game we missed? Drop it in the comments! And if you try the Dank & Draft house rule, let us know how it goes.
— Becky & the Bunnies
